Troggy

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone on this thread. What actually happened really didn't align with any of the responses here.
 
The interview was about 20 minutes long. Towards the end of the interview, she asked if I worked for the place I had submitted with the 485. I said no, that I was laid off, and that was it, she never spoke another word about it. Then she flipped through the paperwork and asked a few other questions unrelated to my employment status and said we were approved.

Thank you again for all your support here, folks!
 
As Trilo said - we're home-free, and it was bewilderingly easy in the end!
 
Now lead us to the gin and tonic. 😈😈

Thank you again for all your support here, folks!
 
As Trilo said - we're home-free, and it was bewilderingly easy in the end!
 
Now lead us to the gin and tonic. 😈😈

Apologies.....asked and answered earlier in the thread.

Thank you @TriloByte. So far so good on my end.....still waiting for interview here.
 
 I truly wish you the very best and I am positive everything will work in your favor. 
 
 
 
 

I don't have the energy to say anything especially worth reading right now (depressed) - except to say thank you. 

I have seen those sources before and understand why people follow that line of reasoning. Heck, I've read the CFR section supporting this. But I do stand by the interpretation noted above as that is how I believe the CO or IO will determine one's individual income on a general basis. I just see this as a case where reality doesn't match code. The CO/IO is given very strong discretion, and this is what I've noticed that they tend to do. But strictly following the CFR, your interpretation is correct.
 
Logically, it makes sense (to me) to go by the 12 month period. Somebody who is laid off has no funds to provide for support even if they earned way above the minimums earlier in the year. And somebody who lands a decently paying job in July 20XX and interviews in Dec 20XX may be under the minimum threshold for the I-864 that tax year, but many people in this circumstance have been approved without an issue. It doesn't make much sense to me that somebody who filed slightly sooner (and interview the same period of time later in the same year) and landed the exact same job a few months earlier in the tax year would be more qualified than the previous example. Both would have the same income level IMO, even though their expected income on their tax returns would differ.
 
But again, this is my interpretation based on experience, which I have noticed worked for many in the past. I do understand it does not match the letter of the law. I should have noted that clearly in my earlier response. Mea culpa.

Congratulations!🎈🎉 

Just had my interview today. They did not ask any questions regarding finances or for any pay stub or any other financial documents. However they did ask my occupation. So if you had the same officer you would have passed as your occupation hasn’t changed. All the rest of the questions were based on relationship. 
 
Wish you good luck. 

I don't have the energy to say anything especially worth reading right now (depressed) - except to say thank you. 

ICE will not show up to bust anybody (well, assuming you don’t start making threats then some sort of LEO will show up!). They have shown up at AOS appointments in the past, but this was with an existing remove order (which doesn’t apply to your case).
 
If the IO isn’t convinced with the income evidence presented, they would most likely send an RFE. You would need to respond the RFE with a satisfactory I-864 before the RFE expires. If not, they will deny the I-485. They are unlikely to issue an NTA at that point, but it is possible. Until an NTA is issued, you can refill for AOS.
 
Any old EAD or AP would be cancelled with the denied I-485, so new ones would be needed.
 
If an NTA is issued, you would still have time to challenge the removal. This buys you a bunch of time to find employment or a sponsor. Obviously you want to avoid going in front of an immigration judge, but it’s not the end of the line either. The point is you have plenty of time and steps before an actual deportation.

I opened a checking account with Bank of America in Austin, TX, without an SSN shortly after getting married about 3 months ago.
 
The man at the bank said it was alright without SSN; they do it quite often. I showed my British passport with my K-1, proof of address and some of my USCIS paperwork. 
 
Got the debit card about welcome literature about 4 days later.

Or, you can go as most people in the US do when they don’t like their first name: use middle name only and just use initial from first name. 
 
Example: Patrick Allan doesn’t like Patrick so he goes by P Allan. 

It doesn't seem dodgy to me...it's fairly common with some immigrants.
You can change it at any time, but if it doesn't match existing records, you have to get those updated and/or provide proof of the name change. For instance, if you file for AOS under your current name but later change your name, the green card would be issued under the name as filed at that time and you would need to  carry proof of the name change until you get a new green card in the updated name (via an I-90).
 
Normally, people change their name when they marry. A marriage certificate acts as a legal name change document. However, the exact name changes permitted via a marriage vary by state, and I don't know any states that let you change a first name.
Another other would be via a legal name change via a court order. You would need to check your local laws on the process for this.
Another option is to change it during naturalization.

When you filed your AOS you should have put your husbands last name on the application. Example he is John Smith and you are Mary Jane Black. The proper way to fill out the AOS packet would be as Mary Jane Smith. (this will give you his last name on the GC). You CAN NOT change your first name through the AOS process. You must go down to your local court house and file paperwork there to make you just Jane instead of Mary Jane. 
 
Honestly you should have done this before applying for AOS. If you can get the name change done quickly(before your GC is approved) send in the name change paperwork to the service center and a letter explaining you changed your name so the card can be issued as Jane Smith. If you dont get the name change done and or the letter doesnt reach USCIS in time you will be getting a GC as Mary Jane Smith (if you filled out AOS using his name) or Black if you used your maiden name. You will then have to send the form for a new card with the name change paperwork and pay the 500 dollar (apx) fee for a new GC and wait many months for it. 

^  thanks!!
 
Ack, I just thought of something. My British passport expires next year. With Britain leaving the EU (I believe that involves everyone getting a new passport without EU on it, and blue instead of red) me changing my entire name, AOS, green cards... I need another coffee.